Game Notes | Live Stats | Live Video
 
Opponent: Texas Permian Basin
Time: Saturday, September 4; 12:00 PM
Location: Plaster Stadium | Bolivar, MO
 
Bolivar, Mo. - After a three game season in the spring, the SBU Football team is ready to play in September once again. Week one of the season was initially a bye but has recently been filled with a home contest against the University of Texas Permian Basin. Kickoff for the game is scheduled for 12:00 PM at Plaster Stadium in Bolivar.

Previous Season Recap
The Bearcats finished the 2019 season with a 3-8 (1-6 GLVC) record which included wins over Central State, Kentucky Wesleyan, and William Jewell. Southwest Baptist averaged 203.7 yards rushing per game and 154.9 passing yards per game. The 203.7 rushing yards was good enough for 3^rd best in the GLVC along with a conference leading pass defense that only allowed 211 yards per game. The Bearcats were also 3^rd best in returning punts with an average of 15.1 yards per return.
Southwest Baptist's offense was led by Brenden Smith with 692 yards rushing for 76.9 yards per game along with 737 passing yards on a 55% completion percentage for 81.9 yards per game. Bryce Cabrera and Eric Knight were the leaders at the running back position with 519 total yards and 514 total yards respectively. Smith shared time in the pocket with Dylan Mountain who pitched in 720 yards passing at a 60.2% completion rate and 3 touchdowns. Curtis Cuillard led all receivers on the Bearcats with 51 catches for 607 yards and 3 touchdowns. Cory Hanger led the defense with 65 total tackles, 17 pass break-ups, and 3 fumble recoveries for 56 yards. De'shawn Tone led the front line with 53 total tackles that included 12.5 tackles for loss.

Scouting The Bearcats
Robert Clardy will be entering his seventh season (2021-22) as the Head Football Coach and his 14th season overall on the Bearcats Football coaching staff. In 2016, Coach Clardy earned GLVC Coach of the Year honors after leading the Bearcats to their first ever conference title and NCAA National Playoff appearance after finishing the season 10-2 (7-1 GLVC). Clardy's Bearcats were ranked as high as 17th in the NCAA Division II AFCA poll, finishing 22nd in the final NCAA Division II AFCA poll, while earning their first ever regional and national rankings. Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the 2020-21 football season took place in the spring of 2021. The spring season was a shortened, three game, conference opponents only, season. Truman State visited Bolivar, taking the first game after a very tight first half. SBU nearly defeated Missouri S&T on the road the next week, but fell short late in the game. The final game finished with a high scoring victory over William Jewell. In 2019, the team finished 3-8 (1-7 GLVC). The offense found their rythym again, averaging 469.0 yards and 36.3 points over the three spring games. Junior transfer quarterback Cooper Callis was named GLVC Offensive Player of the Year, leading the conference in nearly every passing category. He connected primarily with Curtis Cuillard, a First Team All-GLVC selection as well. Jordan Kent, a high school teammate of Callis's, did damage at wide receiver and as a returner. Eric Knight carried the ball 12 times for 85 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Bearcats return most weapons on offense, including Cassian Foreman who was a member of the 2016-17 teams. Aaron Harris was the other First Team All-GLVC selection, making 24 tackles, 2 interceptions, and a pass break-up. Bryton Lewi also hit 20 tackles on the year, finishing with 21 over three games. Locking down the secondary, Troy Landon had 5 pass break ups and an interception. He was named the final GLVC Defensive Player of the Week. The breakdown of the roster consists of 10 seniors, 13 juniors, 17 sophomores, and 48 freshmen.

Scouting The Falcons
The University of Texas Permian Basin Falcons open their fall season on the road after a perfect 5-0 season in the spring of 2021. They began with a 33-14 win over Southern Nazarene, followed by a 54-20 victory over Lincoln, then a 37-6 win against Western New Mexico, a 17-2 win over Texas A&M Kingsville, and a narrow 22-21 victory against Midwestern State. In the fall of 2019 the team finished 4-7 (2-6 conf.). Leading the offense for the Falcons will be Clayton Roberts, a junior who played in 3 games in the spring. In those 3 games, Roberts completed 32 passes on 70 attempts for 526 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 1 int. He connected primarily with MJ Link who returns for the fall as well. Link caught 20 passes for 383 yards and 5 touchdowns in the spring, including a 99 yard reception. UTPB's leading rusher in Garrett Loudermilk returns, but Nate Tilford, a junior transfer from Arizona, is listed first on the depth chart at the RB spot. On defense, Miquon Mayes returns to the defense after leading the spring with 41 tackles. Dominique Varela led the team with 4.5 sacks and is back for the fall. In the secondary, D'Ondre Robinson had 4 picks and a forced fumble and Donta Stuart had 3 interceptions and 2 pass break ups. They are projected to start on Saturday as well.

Saturday will mark the first meeting between the teams.